http://nanna.teoe.com/b2evolution/blog1.php/making-good-choices-for-trick
In the United States children, clad in Halloween costumes, go from door to to beg for candy; Trick or Treat. This post is #2 in a series on Halloween Trick or Treat.
- Shockingly,the vast majority of those human beings who harvest the cocoa bean in Africa have never tasted a piece of sweetened chocolate candy in a colorful wrapper.
- They can not read nor write as they have never gone to school.
- They recieve no medical or first aid care.
- They will die young.
- These human beings are child slaves who will never be able to particiate in fun event our American children enjoy at the expense of enslaved children.
Personally, I can not live with this knowledge and contiune to buy from companies who use slave labor. I recently signed a petition vowing to not buy from these companies. I will buy only Fair Trade Certified cocoa.
Below are some facts. I want to quote from the CNN Project Ending Modern Day slavery, to be very accurate:
"It may be unthinkable that the chocolate we enjoy could come from the hands of children working as slaves. In the Ivory Coast alone, there are an estimated 200,000 children working the fields, many against their will, to create the chocolate delicacies enjoyed around the world.
More than 10 years ago, two U.S. lawmakers took action to put a stop to child labor in the cocoa industry. Despite pushback from the industry, the Harkin-Engel Protocol, also known as the Cocoa Protocol, was signed into law on September 19, 2001." (end quote)
http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/16/chocolate-explainer/
Parents, we can do something to make a bold statement about ending slave labor. Should we chose NOT to act against this horrific crime against our fellow man, we should be very ashamed.
With Halloween a few short weeks away the retailers are already stocked up with chocolates. They ordered the products months ago.
We can refuse to buy any chocolate product from any company that continues to defy International law by buying their cocao bean harvested by enslaved children.
According to another CNN report published in March 2011 there are 10's of millions of human beings working under horrible conditions as slaves. They know nothing different that work under duress, even though they may not be chained. this is wrong.
Even worse is the fact that: I quote from CNN March 4, 2011
"The United Nations estimates the total market value of human trafficking at 32 billion U.S. dollars. In Europe, criminals are pocketing around $2.5 billion per year through sexual exploitation and forced labor.
But let’s remember the commodity here is not drugs or contraband; it is human beings. And usually the most vulnerable in society."
These 2011 figures include not only those who harvest cocoa but manufacture other goods such as clothing and toys that they will never enjoy themselves. We want to be thinking about this crime against humanity before we start stocking up on Gifts for Christmas presents.
http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/12/chocolates-child-slaves/
http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/16/chocolate-explainer/
Cadbury and Mars are two companies who participate in the Fair Trade Certified cocoa agreement. Good for them.
Quoting from Fair Trade Blog, " When Hershey’s made its announcement in October of 2012 to source 100% certified cocoa by 2020, many wondered what the commitment would look like and if that meant Certified Fair Trade."
http://www.globalexchange.org/blogs/fairtrade/2013/03/22/victory-hersheys-choose-fair-trade/
That will take Hershey 7 years to comply 100%. While the company finally agreed to end their involvement in slave labor 1,000's of children will die before they taste freedom. A 7 year plan is not soon enough for me. Personally, I have chosen to not buy any Hersey product until they are 100% slave harvest free.
I will be adding more companies as soon as I can. If you have more up to date information, please share a link in the comment section.
Now, it is your trun to speak up.
What is your reaction now that you know child-human beings are forced to slave for no wages just to so your kids can eat chocolate?
I am Malika Bourne the No Non-cents Nanna saying, "Make good choices."